There are no rules, but use your brain.

What are cryptids? Cryptids are living creatures (usually animals) empowered by the dark energy of the broken Caldera. Rather than simply empowering the creatures like a healthy caldera would, it twists and warps them into monstrous shadows of what they once were. Do all calderas create cryptids? The Yellowstone Caldera is the only volcanic caldera to infect creatures with dark energy. Can I apply for a cryptid? Because cryptids lose agency when they're created, this won't be possible.

How does the network work? All residents of Vigil as well as all people employed there have access to a social community network hosted via internet and accessible all the usual ways. This includes both powered and unpowered people. Can powers be talked about on the network? Yes. Magic is a rare but documented occurrence in this universe. It is uncommon to meet an empowered individual or magic user and more unusual still for magical individuals to be very public with their abilities, but mention of it won't totally shock someone. Icons/stricken text/filters · Icons are ooc and comments with icon reactions only are not visible ic.
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What is the nature of magic in Caldera? Magic is an ancient power generated by the earth, accessible via volcanic calderas around the world and spread via the leylines radiating out from these central sources of power. Think of magic as a river which flows only along certain paths. While magic is a gift from the caldera to an individual and may be accessed anywhere in the world, it is much easier to master one’s abilities when living in close proximity to a caldera, as the caldera’s leylines are strongest near the source and will lend an extra boost to the newly-powered as they learn.

The Caldera's magic is inherently neutral and does not have a black/white mechanic. That isn't to say that a person's power won't sometimes manifest in a way that mimics traditional black and/or white magic. What's the difference between being empowered and being a witch? Those who are empowered by the Caldera are given a specific ability with a magical mechanic—this ability may develop over time or have other aspects, but essentially remains the same principle, e.g. a shifter changes their form.

Witches are those who rather than being selected at random for empowerment, have gone to calderas in search of it. Becoming a witch requires a ritual. This ritual is not always successful. If unsuccessful, the would-be witch will often die.

Witches do not have powers in addition to their witch abilities.

Can I app a werewolf/vampire/etc? Traditional vampires/werewolves do not exist in this universe, but characters may have powers which result in similar effects. Does my character have to have powers? Unpowered characters are allowed and encouraged. You may also decide to empower these characters later in game if you change your mind. You may also decide to make your character a Craftsman or be hired by DEWS in game. Just leave a comment in the mod dropbox if you'd like a status change. Can my character have powers before game start? Yes, but please note that no characters may be powered by the Yellowstone Caldera between 1903 and 2016. How does my character get powers? Your character will be empowered at random, however you’d like, either before or during the game.

If becoming empowered in game, please dropbox the mods with a description of your desired abilities before they take effect. Can my character be a Hunter? Yes, but cryptid hunters specifically will only exist around Vigil, MT. Characters targeting those empowered may originate from anywhere.

Is Vigil a real town? Vigil is a fictional town placed in the location of Gardiner, MT, but based off of Bozeman, MT in every other way. Can I use a business listed on the locations page as my character’s business? This is absolutely allowed, but in no way required. You are welcome to come up with your own businesses as well. If I adopt an existing business do I have to keep the name? No, but you should because we're funny. Can my neutral character get involved with DEWS activities? This is encouraged! DEWS will develop a network of civilian help throughout the game. Does Caldera align with real life politics/current events? Yes, but covid is actually over here. How long will Caldera run? Caldera will run between 6 and 9 months depending on player actions and involvement.